De Notenkraker, 16 maart 1907 / In dagen van crisis Possibly 1907

This cover of "De Notenkraker" from March 16, 1907, was printed with ink on paper by Albert Hahn. It looks like it was done with lithography, or maybe even a woodcut. I can imagine Hahn working on the design, carving away at the block, thinking about how to depict the political tensions of the day. I wonder what it was like to create this image? He's working with a limited palette – mainly black and white – to communicate feeling, intention, meaning. The artist's use of line and texture really defines the characters and creates a sense of drama. The contrast between the dark, solid form of the man and the patterned robe of the queen is so striking. It makes me think about artists like Honoré Daumier, who also used printmaking to comment on social issues. Hahn and Daumier are both part of this tradition, inspiring one another’s creativity across time.